“Back to reality,” Newcastle now eyeing a move that could kill two birds with one stone this summer. According to Graeme Bailey.

 

After a season in which they were dragged back down to earth, Newcastle United must use the summer transfer window to give Eddie Howe some much-needed new faces, particularly goalkeepers.

While it’s easy to criticise the Magpies for their season, their injury issue has been unlike any other this season, with two of those ailments extending over to next season following blows to Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles. Without the duo, who both sustained ACL injuries, Howe is left with only one recognised centre-back, Fabian Schar, and must now look to the summer transfer window.

 

So far, Dean Huijsen and Max Kilman have been connected in that regard, in two deals that would surely bolster Howe’s roster this summer. Kilman, in particular, has impressed at Wolverhampton Wanderers under Gary O’Neil, demonstrating his ability to jump into a club competing for European places.

 

However, behind the backline, the Magpies may make some alterations. Martin Dubravka is 35 years old and in his final year of contract at St James’ Park, therefore the search for a replacement has begun.

 

According to Graeme Bailey of HITC, Newcastle are interested in signing Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal this summer, joining Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Wolves in the hunt for the goalkeeper’s signature. The shot-stopper is still only 21 years old and is 6ft 3in, making him the ideal constable for Nick Pope.

 

Pope isn’t growing any younger, of course. The England international is now 31 years old, which means Newcastle will soon have to consider options for their No. 1. This summer, bringing Jorgensen on board may be a double win.

“Great” Jorgensen is better than Dubravka

Jorgensen, 21, is only going to improve with experience and has demonstrated that he is more than capable of filling Dubravka’s job. The experienced shot-stopper has done a good job covering for Pope this season, but Howe would benefit far more from being able to give those opportunities to a youthful custodian.

Villarreal manager Marcelino Garcia Toral may be hesitant to say goodbye to Jorgensen, having recently praised him. He told the club’s official website following his team’s game against Osasuna in November: “In the first half, we were too stiff and with a lot of doubts. At that moment, Filip kept us in the game with three great saves.”

 

When the summer window opens, it appears that the “great” Dane will have to make a decision. It remains to be seen whether this leads to a move to St James’ Park, as other elite clubs are interested in the 21-year-old.

 

 

 

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